Josh Burdette, the well-known head of security at the 9:30 Club who died Sept. 1, took his own life, according to a ruling by the Maryland chief medical examiner's office. Burdette, 36, was found dead Sunday inside his home in Kensington.

Before the manner of death was confirmed, Montgomery County police said they were investigating the case as a possible suicide.

The popular Burdette cut an imposing figure outside the Washington music venue, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing more than 300 pounds. But he was widely regarded as a gentle person who mostly wanted to see people leave the club with a smile on their faces.

“I know that’s a trite thing to say,” he said in a 2006 interview with The Washington Post, “but my job is to make sure people have fun.”